anoint

Everyday

1. (church, Bible) To anoint is to put holy oil on someone's head or body as a sign of blessing, healing, or being chosen by God, for example as a king or priest. tree →
2. (informal) To anoint someone is to choose them for an important role, like "anointed as the next captain". tree →
3. In old tales, "anointed" before an insult, as in "anointed rogue", is a grumpy way of saying "confounded" or "wretched". tree →

In the lessons

In the Bible, the prophet Samuel anointed David as king; "Messiah" and "Christ" both mean "the anointed one". In church, oil is used at baptism, confirmation, ordination and for the sick (anointing of the sick). A British monarch is anointed at the coronation. Phrases: anoint with oil, the anointed one, anointing of the sick.

Examples

• Samuel anointed David with oil to show he would be king. tree →
• The priest anointed the sick woman and prayed for her. tree →
• A woman anointed Jesus' feet with perfume. tree →
• The new king was anointed in the abbey. tree →
• The coach anointed Maya as our new captain. tree →
• "Christ" means "the anointed one". tree →
• "Oh, you anointed villain!" says the ass, roaring like thunder. tree →

Note

Regular verb: anointed. Noun anointing. Spelling: one n after a, one n at the end: a-n-o-i-n-t. Formal word.

In Jewish tradition

To pour holy oil on a person or object to make it holy, as with the Tabernacle, its furniture, priests and kings. In the Prophets it is the way a king is chosen, as Samuel anoints Saul and David, and the people anointed Absalom.

Interpretation. Tradition says anointing sets someone or something apart for God. The Hebrew word mashiach, "anointed", is the root of "messiah". Because David was anointed, the rabbis teach that the future messiah will come from his family.

Examples

• And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. (Torah EXO.40.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• This was the dedication-offering of the altar, after that it was anointed. (Torah NUM.7.88, JPS 1917) tree →
• oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense; (Torah EXO.25.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD anointed thee king over Israel; (Prophets 1SA.15.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD said: 'Arise, anoint him; for this is he.' (Prophets 1SA.16.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. (Prophets 2SA.19.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: anointed. Noun anointing. Spelling: one n after a, one n at the end: a-n-o-i-n-t. Formal word.